Looking around, I think it would not be that much of a stretch to say that 2012 was a bumpy year for most of us. The real question is what will you do to make things better in the months ahead?

Most people I meet tend to be affected by the national news, which is never good news. Seriously, if you want to feel really bad, turn on the TV and watch the national news for an hour. Trust me, there is nothing inspirational or motivational in anything these organizations broadcast.

But how much of it really affects you directly? If you’re honest about it, very little of what you hear on the news has a direct or immediate impact on you and your career.

The strategy you should work to adopt is one of curiosity about the national news instead of taking what you see as truth.

Put your energy on who you are and what you are working to accomplish in your life, and stop worrying about what the rest of the world is up to.

I get asked all the time what it takes to become a successful person and my answer, at the core, always revolves around being responsible for your own destiny. In other words, put your attention on you and what you’re doing instead of being focused on what other people are doing around you.

Another way to look at this is to become more selfish. Take back your attention and put it where it can make a real difference. Since you can’t change the national news or even the person closest to you, stop trying!

Change you instead. Put your attention on you, what you’re doing, what you want, and what you need to do to get it.

Now this does not mean you ignore your loved ones, it just means that you make you the primary focus of your life.

When you do this a few things happen. First, you become more successful in your business and in your career. Second, you end up being better able to support those you care about most in more ways than you may have ever imagined possible.

Success does one other thing for you too. It makes you stronger not just financially, but as a person. It builds confidence and it even improves your health and well-being!